Abstract submission and registration is now open for the ‘Oceans of Potential’ conference, Plymouth, UK, 11-12 September 2012

This is an open call for participants and for abstracts for presentations and posters to be submitted. Conference website: http://www.oceansofpotential.org/. The closing date for abstract submission is 17 August 2012.

As we continue into the 21st century, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to take a smarter approach to managing our resources and maximizing the potential of the natural environment to provide for society’s needs. The oceans are beginning to demonstrate their wealth of potential – from renewable energy and carbon sequestration to human health, bioengineering and new approaches to food production.

There are a growing number of opportunities for the development of symbiotic industries and for marine science to provide a host of tools to assist in the management of marine resources, ensuring that exploitation of the oceans proceeds both efficiently and sustainably.

To this end the “Oceans of Potential” conference will bring together stakeholders from a broad range of disciplines to discuss these opportunities and to place marine science at the heart of an exciting vision of the future.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Dr Wendy Watson-Wright, Assistant Director-General, UNESCO and Executive Secretary Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
  • Professor Jacquie McGlade, Director of the European Environment Agency
  • Professor Duncan Wingham, Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council
  • Dr Susan Avery, President and Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  • Professor Manuel Barange, Chair of the Scientific Committee of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
  • Professor Lora Fleming, Director of the European Centre for Environment and Human Health

The conference is an initiative of the Plymouth marine sciences organizations, coordinated by Plymouth Marine Laboratory and part of the wider Plymouth Marine City Festival. The conference will be the second in the series of major marine conferences planned to run until 2020; the previous conference focused on marine spatial planning and was in partnership with the UK Marine Management Organization.

Members of the Marine Biological Association will receive a 10% discount on their registration costs.

For further information please visit www.oceansofpotential.org.